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Vikings select Bama legend Reichard as first kicker taken in 2024 NFL Draft

Alabama kicker Will Reichard, who spent five amazing seasons in Tuscaloosa, is getting his shot at the next level.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Reichard in the sixth round with the No. 203 overall selection to make him the first kicker off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.

He is also the first Alabama kicker drafted in 58 years since David Ray in 1966.

Reichard made history and became the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader in 2023 following his decision to come back to school and use his 5th season of eligibility.

He was also a finalist for the Lou Groza award once again and was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

He holds Alabama school records in field goals made (84), field goals made beyond 50 yards (10), and extra points made (295).

Reichard will now get his shot to be a starting kicker in the NFL after the Vikings lost reliable veteran Greg Joseph to their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

He will also join former Alabama teammate Dallas Turner in Minnesota, who was selected to the Vikings in the first round at No. 17 overall.

Between days two and three of the draft, Alabama had an additional six players selected.

On day two, Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected No. 41 to the New Orleans Saints, Chris Braswell was selected No. 57 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jermaine Burton was selected No. 80 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

On day three, Justin Eboigbe went No. 105 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers and Jase McClellan went No. 186 to the Atlanta Falcons followed by Reichard.

All in all, nine players were selected from Nick Saban’s final Alabama team and will now take their talents to their respective teams at the next level.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP

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